Kerala Historic Destinations
The history of Kerala is marked by the rise and fall of many dynasties and communities. With the landing of Vasco De Gama on the Malabar Coast, in the year 1498, there opened a new chapter in the history of Kerala. The trade link between Kerala and many Middle East, Mediterranean and China opened gates to the foreign communities. From 16th century A.D. to 19th century A.D, there was much chaos over domination and the place saw settlement of many merchant communities. Many historic places of Kerala provide living records of these communities and the bygone time.
The forts grounded in Kerala form some of the much famed attractions in the region. The forts of Kerala are amongst the best preserved forts in India. Many of these forts were built by the foreign powers to safe guard their hold on the state. Forts like St.Angelo's Fort, Bekal Fort and Palakkad Fort belong to this category. The establishment of these forts influenced the architecture and style of building in the coming generations.
Kappad
This is the historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27th of May, 1498 with 170 men in three vessels. The rock studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawing rock that protrudes into the sea. The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old
Synagogue
Constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. Destroyed in a shelling during the Portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch. Known for mid 18th century hand painted, willow patterned floor tiles from Canton in China, a clock tower, Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, great scrolls of the Old Testament, ancient scripts on copper plates etc.
Santa Cruz Basilica
This historic church was built by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. In 1795 it fell into the hands of the British when they took over Kochi, and was demolished. About a hundred years later Bishop Dom Gomez Ferreira commissioned a new building at the same site in 1887. The church was proclaimed a Basilica in 1984 by Pope John Paul II.
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